THURROCK Council has allayed concerns expressed by residents that it might be breaching an environment protection order by clearing a site it is developing for new social housing.

As recently reported on Thurrock Nub News, the council has demolished unsafe houses on a corner plot on the Geerings in Corringham and is to build five family homes.

The former homes on the site have been demolished.

The cleared site has recently seen the emergence of swathes of bluebells and residents contacted Nub News as they believed they are a protected species.

However, after consultation, the council has confirmed they are not.

A statement says: "The plants are not of the protected species of Bluebell. While common bluebells (Hyacinthoides non‑scripta) are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 the Spanish variety, called Hyacinthoides hispanica, and hybrids are not.

THURROCK Council has allayed concerns expressed by residents that it might be breaching an environment protection order by clearing a site it is developing for new social housing.

As recently reported on Thurrock Nub News, the council has demolished unsafe houses on a corner plot on the Geerings in Corringham and is to build five family homes.

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The cleared site has recently seen the emergence of swathes of bluebells and residents contacted Nub News as they believed they are a protected species.

However, after consultation, the council has confirmed they are not.

A statement says: "The plants are not of the protected species of Bluebell. While common bluebells (Hyacinthoides non‑scripta) are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 the Spanish variety, called Hyacinthoides hispanica, and hybrids are not.

"The council takes its responsibilities in relation to protected species seriously.

 Planning permission for this site was granted in March 2026, considering all material planning considerations which included the usual ecological and environmental matters, and no issues relating to protected plants were identified during that process."

"Where vegetation is present along hedgerows or site boundaries, appropriate care is taken during site clearance, and contractors are required to work in line with relevant legislation and best practice. If protected species had been identified, suitable measures would be put in place to avoid harm.

Bluebells on the site.

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"The council is satisfied that the development has followed the correct regulatory processes and there is no impact on the approved plans."

"Planning permission for this site was granted in March 2026, considering all material planning considerations which included the usual ecological and environmental matters, and no issues relating to protected plants were identified during that process."

"Where vegetation is present along hedgerows or site boundaries, appropriate care is taken during site clearance, and contractors are required to work in line with relevant legislation and best practice. If protected species had been identified, suitable measures would be put in place to avoid harm.

"The council is satisfied that the development has followed the correct regulatory processes and there is no impact on the approved plans."